Hazy, hot, and humid remain for July 4th weekend

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Our satellite loop is beginning to a few showers and thunderstorms bubbling up across the far northeast portion of our state. We are currently under the 

influence of a high pressure ridge centered over Kentucky/Tennessee which is keeping us in weak east to southeasterly flow. There is also a weak boundary laying across the Mississippi River Valley along the edge of the high pressure center. The closeness of this boundary will keep isolated to scattered thunderstorms chances across north and west Georgia this afternoon and Saturday. The ridge should help to keep any convective development capped, but with very warm temps, dewpoints in the 40s and 50s, I would not be surprised to see a few strong to severe storms this 

afternoon. This is why the Storm Prediction Center has North and West Georgia (Interstate 85 corridor north) under a Marginal Risk of severe storms this afternoon into the evening. Temperatures today and Saturday will mainly be in the middle to upper 90s outside of the Northeast Georgia mountains which will be in the 80s to lower 90s. This will allow heat index values  to

rise into the 100 to 109 degree range across the state.  A typical mid-Summer pattern will set up across the Southeast U.S. from Sunday through most of next week, as surface high pressure and mid-level ridging build off the coast over the western Atlantic. With nearly persistent southwesterly flow, moisture will remain high, with elevated dewpoints creating afternoon heat index values in the low triple digits each day. The heat and humidity will create scattered to numerous afternoon showers and storms each day. A few storms could be strong to severe during this time period. Otherwise, expect the typical summertime storms with gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours.